The Kiunga Airport in the Western province will be getting a much-needed upgrade soon to improve its facilities to cater for aircrafts, where the groundbreaking took place yesterday. Prime Minister James Marape, Civil Aviation Minister Wake Goi, Western Province Governor, Taboi Awi Yoto, North Fly MP, James Donald, and other Government Ministers, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and important guests broke ground at a ceremony in Kiunga, to officially mark the start of the Kiunga Airport Upgrade Project. The National Airport Corporation (NAC) stated that the Kiunga airport upgrade is valued at PGK 70.60 million. NAC said that the Kiunga Airport Upgrade, is a component of the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program II (CADIP II), is the second project awarded under Phase II. “On September 5, 2023, China Railway Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd. (CRCEG) secured the contract, valued at PGK 70.60 million, to undertake the project. The project scope includes; • Pavement Strengthening & Widening of Existing Runway, Apron, Taxiway. • Construction of New Turning Nodes, New Apron and New Taxiway. • Application of 3-coat Bituminous Chip Sealing on all aircraft pavements. • Construction of New Aircraft Parking Pads & New Helipads. • Construction of New Terminal Building (Type C). • Construction of New powerhouse and standby power system. • Construction of New H90 Duplex NAC Staff Residence. • Construction of New Access Road to the New Terminal Building. The benefits of the project are; • 5 – 10 years 3 coat chip seal lifespan without major maintenance. • Modern airport terminal building facilities with improved passenger/cargo processing turnaround time. • Commercial opportunity for tenants and service providers; and • Employment for locals, especially in airport operation. NAC will work closely with the contractor and the respective stakeholders to ensure that the project is completed within 28 months as anticipated. Meanwhile, the Contractor has commenced mobilization to the project site.